Shloka 61

वंशानुवर्णनम् — सात्वतवंशः, स्यमन्तक-प्रसङ्गः, कृष्णावतारः, शिवप्रसादः (पाशुपतयोगः)

Devanagari script

देवक्याः स भयात्कंसो जघानैवाष्टमं त्विति स्मरन्ति विहितो मृत्युर् देवक्यास् तनयो ऽष्टमः

Transliteration

devakyāḥ sa bhayātkaṃso jaghānaivāṣṭamaṃ tviti smaranti vihito mṛtyur devakyās tanayo 'ṣṭamaḥ

Translation

Out of fear, Kaṁsa slew (the child), thinking, “This is the eighth.” Yet it is remembered that Kaṁsa’s ordained death was Devakī’s eighth son—destined to become Kaṁsa’s very Death.

Word by Word

• देवक्याः: of Devakī

• सः: he (Kaṃsa)

• भयात्: out of fear

• कंसः: Kaṃsa

• जघान: killed

• एव: indeed

• अष्टमम्: the eighth (child)

• तु: but/indeed

• इति: thus

• स्मरन्ति: they remember/it is recalled

• विहितः: ordained/appointed

• मृत्युः: death (as destroyer)

• देवक्याः: of Devakī

• तनयः: son

• अष्टमः: the eighth

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Devaki
• Kamsa

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It underscores that adharma collapses by divine ordination; in Linga-worship, the devotee seeks refuge in Pati (Śiva), the Lord who dissolves fear and cuts the pāśa of tyranny and inner ignorance.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Though Śiva is not named, the verse reflects Shiva-tattva as niyantṛ (cosmic ordainer): the destined ‘death’ of adharma is appointed, showing the governance of karma and time under the Supreme Lord (Pati).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this line; the practical takeaway aligns with Pāśupata discipline—conquering fear (bhaya) through devotion, remembrance, and surrender to Pati, who alone loosens bondage (pāśa).